El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. reports developments from its fast-casual restaurant business, which operates and franchises El Pollo Loco restaurants centered on citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired menu items such as burritos, tostadas, bowls, salads and bone-in chicken meals. News commonly covers quarterly financial results, system-wide and company-operated restaurant sales trends, restaurant contribution, operating costs and debt levels.
Company updates also include menu innovation, product tests, loyalty program activity through Loco Rewards, marketing partnerships and brand initiatives tied to its restaurant base. These releases connect operating performance with customer traffic, pricing, menu mix and franchise activity in the limited-service restaurant market.
El Pollo Loco, the nation's leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant, is expanding its popular Mango Habanero flavor to its Tostadas. Starting February 20, customers can enjoy the new Mango Habanero Double Tostadas with three variations: classic Fire-Grilled Chicken, Baja shrimp, or chicken and shrimp. The Mango Habanero Double Chicken Tostada offers 65 grams of protein, while the Mango Habanero Double Shrimp Tostada provides 40 grams. The Mango Habanero sauce enhances the flavors of avocado, beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa fresca, all served in a crispy tostada shell.
Chief Marketing Officer Jill Adams stated, “Our customers have been loving the sweet heat of our Mango Habanero Chicken, so we wanted to give them more opportunities to enjoy this flavor innovation on additional menu items.” Prices for the Mango Habanero Double Tostadas start at $11.29, though they may vary by location. These items are available for a time at select El Pollo Loco locations. For the latest deals and offerings, download the Loco Rewards app and follow @elpolloloco on social media.
El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ: LOCO) has scheduled its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results conference call for Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The event will be led by CEO Liz Williams and CFO Ira Fils.
The company will release its financial results press release shortly after market close on the same day. Investors can access the conference call live by dialing 201-493-6780, and a replay will be available until March 20, 2025, at 412-317-6671 (passcode: 13750792). Additionally, a live webcast will be available on the company's investor relations website, with an archived version accessible shortly after the call.
El Pollo Loco is launching its new Mango Habanero Fire-Grilled Chicken starting January 30, 2025, marking the chain's first chicken flavor innovation in nearly a decade. The -time offering features a specially developed sauce that combines mango puree with habanero peppers, available on all Individual or Family Chicken Meals at no extra cost.
Pricing begins at $9.19 for a 2-piece Individual Chicken Meal with two small sides, and $25.79 for an 8-piece Family Chicken Meal with two large sides. The Mango Habanero Sauce is also available as a side option for an additional charge.
The launch coincides with El Pollo Loco's 50th anniversary year and complements their recent value initiatives, including the two for $5 Taco Tuesday deal, $5 Original Pollo Bowl, and Loco Friday Drops featuring rotating deals and giveaways through 2025 for Loco Rewards Members.
El Pollo Loco celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, marking five decades since its founding in Sinaloa, Mexico in 1975 and subsequent expansion to Los Angeles in 1980. The fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain announces year-long celebrations featuring Loco Friday Drops, offering weekly deals exclusively to Loco Rewards Members, starting with an 8-pc Leg & Thigh Family Meal for $19.75.
CEO Liz Williams emphasizes the brand's commitment to customer appreciation and community service. In response to recent disasters, the company pledges 5,000 meals to first responders affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, along with monetary donations to the Red Cross. The chain, which began with founder Juan Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa's vision, has grown to nearly 500 locations across seven states.
Following the launch of a new restaurant prototype in Q3 2024, El Pollo Loco plans to introduce new menu innovations throughout 2025, with the first scheduled for late January.
El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, has appointed Joe Taylor as an independent director on its Board of Directors, effective January 13, 2025. Taylor will also serve on the Audit Committee. His appointment follows the board’s expansion from seven to eight members.
William Floyd, Chairperson of El Pollo Loco’s Board, expressed excitement over Taylor's addition, emphasizing his extensive experience in restaurant and finance leadership. Taylor's 25-year tenure at Brinker International, where he most recently held the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer until his retirement in June 2024, is noted as a key asset for El Pollo Loco's growth strategy.
In his career at Brinker, which owns Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy, Taylor held leadership roles in finance, investor relations, restaurant development, risk management, corporate affairs, and communications. Before Brinker, Taylor spent nearly 18 years in the banking industry, holding various client-related and corporate finance positions.
Taylor is also actively engaged in the restaurant industry, having held leadership positions with multiple trade associations, including the National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) has announced its participation in the 27th Annual ICR Conference in Orlando, Florida. The company will conduct a fireside chat discussion on January 14, 2025, starting at 9:30 AM ET.
During the conference, the company will engage with institutional investors and provide a live webcast of the discussion through their corporate website at www.elpolloloco.com in the 'Investors' section.
El Pollo Loco (LOCO) has reintroduced its Double Pollo Fit Bowls across all locations for a time until February 19, 2025. The menu features two variants: the Classic Double Pollo Fit Bowl and the Street Corn Double Pollo Fit Bowl, both containing over 50 grams of protein and premium ingredients. The bowls start at $10.99, with a special promotion offering Loco Rewards members the Classic bowl for $7 on December 12 as part of the '12 Days of Pollo' promotion.
Both bowls feature a Super Greens blend base with double portions of fire-grilled chicken breast, hand-sliced avocados, and various fresh toppings, targeting health-conscious customers and those looking to increase their protein intake.
El Pollo Loco announces its '12 Days of Pollo' promotion, offering over $100 in savings to Loco Rewards members from December 4-15. The campaign features daily deals including BOGO offers, discounted family meals, and the return of Shredded Beef Quesadilla and Classic Beef Tostada. Additionally, the company is extending its 2 for $5 taco deal through the end of the year for app and online orders. The promotion includes various offers such as $5 off $15+ purchases, discounted family meals, double points on taco purchases, and special combo deals.
El Pollo Loco announces new value offerings and digital payment capabilities. The restaurant chain is offering two tacos for $5 every Tuesday through December 31, 2024, and their Original Pollo Bowl for $5 through January 29, 2025. The Original Pollo Bowl features citrus-marinated fire-grilled chopped chicken with pinto beans, rice, cilantro, onions, and salsa fresca. Additionally, the company is introducing Apple and Google Pay options to their Loco Rewards app starting December 2024, responding to customer demands for more payment flexibility.
El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) reported Q3 2024 financial results with total revenue remaining flat at $120.4 million. The company saw a 2.7% increase in system-wide comparable restaurant sales. Net income decreased to $6.2 million ($0.21 per diluted share) from $9.2 million ($0.28 per diluted share) year-over-year. Restaurant contribution improved to 16.7% of company-operated revenue, up from 14.4%. Company-operated restaurant revenue decreased to $101.2 million, while franchise revenue increased 10.5% to $11.3 million. The company maintained $76.0 million in outstanding debt with $7.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.